Lambeth Council is consulting on proposals to use new High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) powers to help bring long-term vacant commercial units back into use on our high streets.

HSRA powers were introduced by the Government to support town centre regeneration. They allow councils, in certain circumstances, to arrange a rental auction for a property that has been vacant for a prolonged period, enabling a new tenant to occupy the unit and contribute to the vitality of the high street. Lambeth has received £50,000 funding from the GLA and Government (one of only two councils across London) to support its HSRA  programme, which will be spent in our Business Improvement District area (Station to Station) and two other areas.

The aim of the one-year programme is to test how HSRAs can tackle vacancy in different high street contexts, from major town centres to local shopping parades.

You can have your say until 16 March 2026 (the survey is near the bottom of the web page).